Base-ball-catcher s glove or mitten



(No Model.)

J. F. DRAPER.

BASE BALL OATOHERS GLOVE 0R MITTEN.

No. 461,819. Patented O0t.Z'7, 1891.

. INV ENTER. $40%@%W,

.UNITED I STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

JASON F. DRAPER, OFASHLAND, NEWV HAMPSHIRE.

BASE-BALL-CA I'CHERS GLOVE OR MITTEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,819, dated October 27, 1891.

Application filed May 29, 1891.

- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it 'known that I, JASON F. DRAPER, of Ashland, in the county of Grafton and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Base-Ball- Catchers Gloves or Mittens, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the heavily-padded gloves or mittens which are used tovprotect the left hand of a base-ball catcher; and it has for its object to provide an improved connection between the palm and thumb portions of the mitten, whereby the thumb will be supported by the body of the mitten without interfering with the flexibility of the thumb; and to this end it consists in a mitten of the kind above specified, having a two-part diaphragl'n arranged to connect the thumb and palm portions, and is composed of two sections attached, respectively, to the thumb and palm or body portion, said sections having eyelets or holes to receive the lacing-cord, whereby their outer edges may be connected to form a practically continuous web or diaphragm extending across the opening between the thumb and palm, as I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a front view of a mitten provided with my improvement, the two parts or sections of the diaphragm being disconnected. Fig. 2 represents a similar view showing the said parts or sections connected by a lacing-cord.

The same letters and numerals of reference indicate the sameparts in all the figures.

In the drawings, a represents a base-ballcatchers glove or mitten, which may be of the usual or any suitable construction, and is provided with suitable palm and thumb pads, (marked 2 and 3, respectively.)

1) represents a flap of leather or other suitable strong and flexible material attached at one side to the inner edge of the thumb, and 1) represents a similar flap attached to the corresponding edge of the palm, said flaps being formed so that when their outer edges are connected, as presently described, they constitute a flexible web or diaphragm extending across the opening between the palm. and thumb. Each flap is provided with a se- Serial No. 394,509. (No model.)

ries of holes 0, which holes are preferably eyeleted and adapted to receive a lacingcord d, as shown in Fig. 2. When said cord is inserted in the holes and drawn taut and secured at its ends, it unites the two flaps and converts them into a practically continuous diaphragm, which connects the thumb and palm portions, and not only prevents the ball from slipping through between the palm and thumb, but also prevents the thumb from being bent backward injuriously after the impact of the ball against it, thus preventing spraining or serious injury to the thumb.

Said diaphragm also co-operates with the adjoining surfaces of the palm and thumb in forming a ball arresting or receiving pocket.

I am aware that it'is not new to extend a diaphragm across the opening between the palm and thumb, said diaphragm being a conto the thumb and the other to the palm or 7 body portion, said parts or flaps being provided with means whereby they may be detachably connected.

Myimproved sectional diaphragm presents the following advantages over the continuous diaphragm as heretofore made, viz: First, the eyelets and lacing-cord enable the parts b b to be drawn more or less closely together, according to the play the operator desires to give to his thumb, so that if he desires to keep his thumb normally comparatively close to the palm or body of the glove or mitten he can draw the lacing, so as to contract the sectional diaphragm, while if he desires to give I more play or freedom of motion to his thumb, 0

he can slacken or let out the lacing-cord. Sec- I ondly, the separate pieces I) b can be merely scraps or pieces of material which would oth wise be wasted. Hence the diaphragm is less expensive than it would be if made of a con 5 tinuous piece.

I claim- 1. A base-ball-catchers glove or mitten having the independent flaps or diaphragmsections 1) b attached, respectively, to thelioo thumb and palm or body portions, said flaps being provided with means whereby their adjacent edges may be detachably adjustably In testimony whereof I have signed my connected, as set forth. name to this specification, in the presence to 2. A base-ball-catchers glove or mitten of two subscribing witnesses, this 21st day of having. the independent flaps or diaphragln- May, A. D. 1891.

5 sections Z) 5' attached, respectively, to the JASON F. DRAPER.

thumb and palm or body portions, said flaps \Vitnesses: being provided with holes 0 c and connected GEO. CASS, by a lacing-cord cl, as set forth. I HARRY S. H UCKINS. 

